5 Things To Do In Kibale National Park On Honeymoon

5 Things to do in Kibale National Park on honeymoon include chimpanzee trekking, primate watching, bird watching, forest walks, and Bigodi wetland walk. A honeymoon with the chimpanzees cannot be any better than having a fun time with the Kibale National park Chimpanzees. Kibale National park sits on 795 sq km of land in which the biggest number of Africa’s habituated chimpanzees live. The chimpanzees share their residence with several other primates like blue monkeys, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkeys, bush babies, olive baboons, and so many others.

During the walk in the forest, you may have a chance to spot a number of birds and for now, the total number of Birds in the forest is about 325 bird species. If you are a keen birding couple, you may look out for Albertine endemics as the forest has about 6 species of them.

Most Popular Safaris

• 3 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking
• 5 Day Gorilla and Chimp
• 8 Day Gorilla Tracking
• 2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Via Kigali
• 3 Day Uganda Gorilla Via Kigali
• 5 Day Chimp and Gorilla Habituation
• 3 Day Fly in Gorilla Habituation
• 3 Day Fly in Safari to Murchison Falls National Park
• 3 Day Bwindi Double trek via Kigali
• 5 Day Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

On a good day, you may get the chance to spot the rare shoe bill, especially in the Bigodi Swamp, red-faced woodland, Green-backed Twin Spot, yellow spotted nicator, Collared Apalis, purple-breasted sunbird, Black, and White Mannikin, blue-breasted kingfisher the scarce Grey-Headed Olive back and so many others.

Be very observant while walking in Kibale National park as you have chances of meeting wild animals that cross from Queen Elizabeth National park through the south part of the park. Some of the animals include forest Elephants, warthogs, bushbucks, duikers, Giant Forest Hogs, waterbucks, and Uganda Kobs to mention but a few.

Highlights of things to do in Kibale National Park

• Chimpanzee Trekking
• Forest Hike in Kibale National Park
• Birding
• Chimpanzee Habituation
• Mabere ga Nyinamwiru And Tooro Kingdom

Chimpanzee Trekking on Honeymoon In Kibale National Park

The habituated chimpanzee kingdom is in Kibale National park in entire Africa. In case you wish to share your most intimate time close to the chimpanzees this is the place to be. You need a Chimpanzee trekking permit for Kibale National park.

Ensure you are in good health because the chimpanzees are susceptible to any human infectious diseases. On the day of a chimpanzee trekking, you gather at the Kanyanchu visitor center for a briefing. You learn about the dos and don’ts of Chimpanzee trekking like not feeding the chimpanzees, do not sneeze while in front of the chimpanzees, do not litter the forest and so much more.

With your spouse and other trekkers, you follow the trails where the chimpanzees are expected to be spending their day. Keeping a murmur or talking with a low tone gives you chance to see more primates and animals that inhabit the forest.

Look out for primates like L’hoests’, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabey, to mention but a few.

When you find the chimpanzees try to keep murmur so as not to scare them. Watch each member as they interact and munch their food. They are mainly vegetarian so expect to see them pulling some creepers, stems, leaves, dissecting fruits and so much more.

Forest Hike on Honeymoon In Kibale National park

In the company of a ranger guide, you move through this beautiful tropical forest, riverine forest, swamp, and grassland. This walks starts from the Kanyanchu visitor center at about 0800hrs to about 1400hrs at the elephant wallow. Look out for amazing birds that spend the day in the forest and surrounding vegetation. Some of the birds include Grey-headed Olive-back, Black-crowned Waxbills, sunbirds, Green-backed Twin Spot, shoe bill, Abyssinian hornbills, and so many others

You may decide to make some lazy stopovers to have private time together.

Look out for several primates and wild animals like duikers, bushbucks, and more. This hike is restricted to dry months June to September or December to January.

Birding On Honeymoon In Kibale National Park

The various habitats in Kibale forest National Park form great homes for a variety of birds. While on honeymoon, keen birders have a chance of identifying a number of bird species. The best birding spot for Kibale National park is along the main road from Kanyanchu Visitor Center to the bridge.

This quiet wide road meanders through lush rain forest giving you time to see the amazing forest canopy and understorey. Look out for birds like Scaly Francolin, Green-backed Twinspot and so many others.

Bigodi Sanctuary has a boardwalk and view tower that go through the papyrus reeds, this 4 km walk may last about 3 hours to 4 hours. Chances of spotting the rare shoe bill are higher here and the variety of other birds.

Chimpanzee Habituation on Honeymoon in Kabale National Park

Creating memories during your honeymoon is the best gift and taking part is chimpanzee habituation with your spouse and other researchers would not be a bad idea. During this activity, you follow semi-habituated chimpanzees in the company of other habituators and researchers to get them accustomed to human presence. You do not need to alter their natural behavior.

An early rise at dawn gives you the best experience as chimpanzee habituation start at about 0530hrs when they are de-nesting. Follow the community of chimpanzees during the day till they reconstruct their nests at about 1900hrs.

Chimpanzee habituation has a time frame so you need to enquire before you settle down to include it on your honeymoon to do activities.

Visit Mabere Ga Nyinamwiru and Tooro Kingdom

Stepping outside the forested Kibale National Park for a hike to the Mabere Ga Nyinamwiru and Tooro kingdom would spice up your honeymoon experience. Mabere Ga Nyinamwiru is a cave of stalactites and stalagmites nestles in the bushy scrubs at the outskirt of Fort Portal.

The walk through these shrubs leads you to an amazing waterfall before the cave comes into view. A Mutooro guide takes you through the romantic mythical story that led to the formation of these stalactites and stalagmites that resemble breasts.

Spend part of your time in Tooro Kingdom Palace where the King is referred to as Omukama. The present Omukama goes by the name Omukama Oyo Rukidi Kabamba Iguru. From the kingdom compound, you enjoy the panoramic view of Fort Portal town. The palace has wonderful spots for photography.

How To get To Kibale National park

From Kampala the main capital of Uganda, two main routes can be used by road to access Kibale National Park. Below are the two routes you can follow

The Kampala to Mubende to Fort portal route is great for those trekking chimpanzees from Kanyancu Visitor Center. The drive takes approximately 300 km

Alternatively, you can drive from Kampala to Mbarara to Kamwenge to Fort Portal. At some point, you drive on a marram road for 36 km to arrive at Kibale National Park.

Another tourism center for the Kibale National Park is at Sebitori Forest Camp. This center is located near the Kampala main road to Fort Portal. You drive nearly 16 km before approaching Fort Portal town.

Using both routes to arrive or depart Kibale National Park gives a great experience of the countryside of western Uganda. You may use the Kampala-Mubende- Fort portal at the beginning and depart with Kibale-Fort Portal-Mbarara-Kampala.

Being open-minded when you use both routes gives you chance to explore a lot of wonderful views and features along the way.

By Air Flights

Every day, flights depart Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe Airport in the morning and afternoon to Kasese airstrip. You have to book a transfer vehicle to Kibale National park in advance. There are no ready Airstrip Cabs ready for you.

For more private flights, Charter flights can be arranged from Kajjansi Air Strip or Entebbe Airstrip.

How To Book Honeymoon Chimpanzee Trekking Permits For Kibale National Park

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has the only mandate to sell chimpanzee trekking and chimpanzee habituation permits for Kibale National Park. You may opt to do chimpanzee trekking in the morning or afternoon. They are all subject to availability of the day because they also get sold out because of the limit in the numbers opened for tourist booking per day.

The cost of every chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale National Park is $200 per person per trek. The high demand for these permits yet they are limited in number makes them scarce especially in the peak seasons from June to September.

What Accommodation To Book For Honeymoon In Kibale National Park

A range of accommodation facilities are available for you to choose from. They range from Luxury facilities to Moderate Facilities to Budget accommodation facilities. Some accommodations are within or close to Kibale National Park

Some of the lodges you can overnight at during your honeymoon include Ndali Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge, Primates Lodge, Mantana Luxury Tented Camp, Mountains Of the Moon Hotel, CVK, Chimpanzee Guest house, Rwenzori Guest house, Chimps Nest Camp to mention but a few.

What To Pack For Chimpanzee Trekking On Honeymoon In Kibale National Park

• Being organized, packing relevantly and light gives you comfort when you travel to the countryside to experience your honeymoon moments.
• Sunscreen to wear when you bask in the sun at your lodge
• Carry warm wear especially during the severe rainy seasons when temperatures drop and the forest is so wet too.
• A cap or large brim hat protects your hair from dripping water off the leaves and flying insects that buzz the forest.
• Raincoat to wear when it rains and early morning when there is heavy cold fog.
• Canvas shoes for the safety of your feet while in the jungle. 
• Sunglasses to shield your eyes from roaming insects in the wild
• Insect repellant to smear on your skin to keep away stinging insects.
• Long trousers and a shirt because the wilderness is rough for your exposed skin
• The camera so as protects memories of your experience on your honeymoon with your spouse.
• Energy bites keep you energized when seeking to locate chimpanzees, birds, other primates, and others.

For more information about essential things to do in Kibale National Park on honeymoon, kindly get in touch by email and also take time to read Encounter Africa safaris on trip advisor.